Treasury of Alphabets and Lettering (Paperback)

by Jan Tschichold (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Treasury of Alphabets and Lettering is a classic source book of the most beautiful type and letters of all time selected by Jan Tschichold, internationally renowned typographer and master of lettering. It contains only letters of timeless and lasting beauty--the true mainsprings of the art of lettering. One hundred and seventy-six type specimens are presented, most of them in complete alphabets. The introductory text provides a perceptive analysis of letter forms. Tschichold discusses lettering as a work of art, good and bad letters, older and recent letter forms, the use of capital and lower-case letters, word spacing, line spacing, the selection of appropriate letter styles, and the layout of groups of letters and signs.

The type specimens are handsomely reproduced, most in their original size. Every alphabet was specially arranged by Tschichold, and forms a well-balanced graphic design. Many of the outstanding historical sources appear better here than in the often poorly printed originals. The book is identical to the original edition, first published in 1966, with a new introduction by designer and writer Ben Rosen.
176 type specimans.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co. (May 17, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393701972
• ISBN-13: 978-0393701975
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #793,975 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is informative!, September 5, 2000

By	JB (One Cave in the Afghanistan Rain Forest) - See all my reviews

Many years ago I borrowed this book from a research library. And in the next few days, I couldn't put it down. I found this book very informative. It opened a door to the art of calligraphy and lettering to me. This book is composed of two parts. The first of it are some articles explaining the evolution of various kinds of calligraphy and lettering crafts. The second part, examples of these artworks. If you love typography, caligraphy or fine arts as a general, you will love this book.

If you are interested in the history of typography, this book can also be very helpful to you as it provides you with a firm background of very needed knowledge.

I hope there will be another book like this one that stress the mechanical part of lettering. How different tools, say broad-tip pens, brushes, chisels, counterpunches, affect the shape of letters.